Hidden Talents

Celebrating individual talent

by Helen Gwynne-Kinsey

Suitable for Key Stage 3

Aims

To celebrate the hidden talents that we each possess.

Preparation and materials

• You will need a set of juggling balls.
  
  
• Prior to the assembly, seek the help of staff members who would be willing to share a surprising talent or skill that they have. For example, they may have a good singing voice, be able to play a musical instrument, be talented in drawing or painting, have won sporting events or be accomplished in handicrafts.
  
  Ask them to be prepared to demonstrate their talent, show a clip of their talent or bring something connected with that talent to the assembly. Examples could include a trophy, sports kit or some photographs.
  
  
• Have available a list of adults in the school (you may wish to include students) who have a particular talent or hobby that is unknown to the students. You will also need a second list that details the talents that these people possess. Both of these lists will need to be ready for display during the assembly.

Assembly

1. Begin the assembly by displaying the juggling balls, and asking if anyone knows how to juggle. If a suitable volunteer is willing, get him/her to demonstrate. If someone is willing to have a try, but has never been able to do it before, allow him/her to have a go, too.
   
   If the person leading the assembly can juggle, it would be good for him/her to demonstrate after the student(s) have had a go; likewise, it would be entertaining if he/she tries and fails!
   
   
2. Explain that many people have skills that are not widely known. For example, students might think that their teachers are only good at the subject that they teach.
   
   Display the list of adults who have a particular talent or hobby and the list of these talents.
   
   Explain that each of these people has a hidden talent that the students may not know about.
   
   
3. Ask the students to match the person with the skill. You may wish to have the people whose names are on the list standing at the front.
   
   Pause to allow time for the students to consider and offer suggestions.
   
   
4. Reveal the correct answers and ask the appropriate people to demonstrate or speak about their talent. Hopefully, the students will be surprised by the results!

Time for reflection

Ask the students to consider any hobbies or activities that they enjoy.

Pause to allow time for thought.

Ask the students to spend a few moments quietly thinking about what they consider their hidden talents to be.

Pause to allow time for thought.

Point out that sometimes, we may feel disheartened when we are not successful at something in school or elsewhere. However, struggling in some areas of our lives isn’t a bad thing. Through difficulties, we learn many lessons. We learn to persevere, to be patient and to appreciate the struggles of others. Each of us has a skill or talent, and this is something to be celebrated. Moreover, we should be determined to work hard in areas where we may find things difficult, with the aim of adding new skills to our repertoire. We can’t all be good at everything, but what we can do is work hard at all times and always try our best.

Christians believe that God has made each one of us and has given us all special skills and abilities.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that each of us is different.
Thank you that our uniqueness is to be valued and treasured.
Help us to develop our skills.
To persevere when things are hard.
To never give up trying to do our best.
To encourage all those with whom we have contact.
Amen.

Song/music

‘I am amazing’ by Philippa Hanna, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVNKj0fbMiU (4.21 minutes long)